Tower Hamlets Wheelers
NEWS RELEASE 25 June 2003
For immediate release
Ref THW14Aldgatepetition250603
DEPUTY MAYOR OF LONDON PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR TOWER HAMLETS CYCLE ACTION
GROUP'S SAFETY CAMPAIGN
Jenny Jones, deputy Mayor of London and former Road Safety Ambassador for
the Greater London Authority, was amongst the first signatories for the
Tower Hamlets Wheelers' (1) petition urging the restoration of the 1960s
Aldgate Gyratory system to two-way streets which are safer for cyclists and
other vulnerable road users (2).
Signing the petition at the Wheelers' Family Fun Day in Victoria Park as
part of National Bike Week celebrations last week (3) Jenny Jones said:
"One-way gyratory systems are dangerous for cyclists, hostile for
pedestrians and dump bus passengers in confusing places. I fully support the
Wheelers' campaign to speed up the process of returning Aldgate to two-way
streets, which will be safer for all road users and create a more pleasant
environment for people living, working and using the facilities in Aldgate."
The Wheelers have conducted cycle counts over the past year and a half at
Aldgate showing that cycling has risen since the congestion charge was
implemented (4) but that the cycle/pedestrian crossing facilities (toucan
crossings) installed by traffic authority Transport for London (TfL - see
note 5), without consultation with the Wheelers or the London Cycling
Campaign, are hardly used by cyclists. In reply to the Wheelers' request for
information on how Aldgate will be made safer and more convenient for
cyclists, TfL says that restoring parts to two-way operation are 'long term
aspirational plans' that depend on future building work in the area.
Wheelers Co-ordinator Owen Pearson says:
"One-way systems like the Aldgate Gyratory were put in during the 1960s but
now planners are realising that they simply make the roads less safe and
more intimidating for cyclists and pedestrians - the very transport modes
that are now being encouraged instead of using the car.
"Many lanes of traffic to cross, fast traffic speeds and a circuitous route
make Aldgate a very frightening prospect for the increasing number of people
taking up cycling in the capital, and our members tell us that even
experienced cyclists avoid Aldgate if they can.
"Restoring the Shoreditch Triangle to two-way operation has made travelling
far safer and convenient for cyclists and bus passengers and we want to see
the same plans for Aldgate being implemented as soon as possible."
The petition can be 'signed' online at
http://www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk/campaigns/ The Wheelers will be
teaming up with other LCC groups bordering the Aldgate Gyratory (City,
ends
Further info
please contact Alix Stredwick alix@towerhamletswheelers.org.uk tel 020 8880
6873 or mobile 07903 606330)
Notes for editors
(1) The Tower Hamlets Wheelers is the local cycle action group in the east
London Borough of Tower Hamlets, campaigning for better cycling facilities
and encouraging more people to cycle - for health, the environment and for
London. The Wheelers are affiliated to the London Cycling Campaign, the
largest urban cycling campaign in the world.
(2) Wording of the petition: "Petition in support of changing the Aldgate
Gyratory one-way system to two-way operation: We, the undersigned, support
the 'long-term aspirational plans' of Transport for London and other
authorities to change the Aldgate Gyratory one-way system to two-way
operation, urging these plans to be implemented without delay, to create a
more pleasant street environment for all. We wish to see a traffic system
that poses less danger than the existing one-way gyratory to vulnerable road
users such as cyclists, pedestrians and users of powered-two-wheelers. We
believe that two-way streets with a slower traffic speed limit, such as
20mph, will be safer for all road users, including motorists, and will be a
more pleasant environment for all users of the streets, shops and other
facilities in the area, creating a more 'liveable' space for everybody."
(3) please see news releases THW13BikeWeek050603 and THW15postBikeWeek250603
(4) Transport for London found that cycling in the congestion charging zone
is up 16% in February 2003, when the charge for which cycles are exempt was
introduced, compared with February 2002.
(5) Transport for London is the traffic authority under the Mayor of London,
accountable to the Greater London Authority.
Wheelers main contact details:
(Alix Stredwick should be contacted for media enquiries: 020 8880 6873
alix@towerhamletswheelers.org.uk unless you want photos in which case
contact Owen below.)
Tower Hamlets Wheelers
wheelers@towerhamletswheelers.org.uk
www.towerhamletswheelers.org.uk
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